The Aonia Pass National on the weekend of March 24 and 25 would mark the first stop of the 2012 ATV National Series. It also marked the season debut for many riders, one of them being the Janssen Motorsports Roberts Racing Outlaw rider, Cody Janssen. After a strong showing at his only national appearance in 2011 in Michigan, the 19 year old was given the opportunity to compete for a Pro Am National Championship in 2012. Cody wanted to prove that he was worthy of the opportunity and also he wanted to live up to the expectations of being one of the preseason favorites. I think Janssen did just that, and also surprised a few people in the process.
Saturday was the day, Pro Am Unlimited’s season opener. It was a field of 26 riders trying to see where they stand against the world’s best. Cody was confident and felt he had put in the work needed to be a contender. He soon proved to be one of the class’ elite. In moto 1 the pilot of the number 25 Honda got in a small first turn controversy but overcame it quite nicely by coming from last all the way back to third, and turned the fastest lap time in the process. Going into moto 2, Janssen knew he had the speed to podium on this day, but it wasn’t meant to be. Janssen was right behind eventual winner Cody Gibson in second place when I fluke electrical problem caused him to DNF. But I think it is safe to say Janssen proved that no race is going to be won by another racer without having to wrestle it away from him.
Sunday meant Cody’s Pro Am Production debut. He looked to redeem himself from his early exit in Saturday’s Pro Am Unlimited racing. In the first timed qualifying session, Janssen grabbed the top spot by over a half second. In the second of the two timed sessions, Janssen placed third, giving him third gate pick and a good feeling after another good showing. Moto 1 came and it was go time. Janssen passed riders like Janssen Motorsports’ Casey Martin and other in the opening laps to get himself into second behind Gibson, before going off the track and eventually finishing with a 7th place ride. Going into the second moto, Janssen knew he had to right his wrong of the first moto. Starting outside the top ten, Janssen eventually worked his way up to third where he stayed much of the moto before falling back to fourth by race’s end, and scoring him a 4th overall in his first Pro Am Production race of his young career.
“Could be better, could be worse. Counting my blessings, I’m going to go home, put in some work and come back stronger. Thanks for all the support.” Cody said after the race. “I think we showed we have the speed and I’m only going to get better in the following weeks. Everyone all weekend was saying ‘believe the hype’, and I’m going to live up to that expectation. See all you guys in Tennessee.” Lastly, Cody must note that he could not have possibly done as well as he did without the support of Elka Suspension and he is confident that no other rider at the starting gate has suspension the quality of his. “Elka’s phenomenal Stage 5 suspension set up makes my job as a rider so much easier, and I look to put them up on the podium in Tennessee, and the weeks following as well.” Janssen noted. See you in one month at Muddy Creek. God bless.